After a busy day filled with work and responsibilities, it is difficult for me to transition into a relaxed state conducive to reading. I have trouble slowing down, thinking about the day's events and tomorrow's tasks, and it can make it difficult to focus on the words on the page. When I was younger it seems easier to get into a relaxed state, but I find it more difficult as I age.
For those who struggle to slow down and get in the right mindset for reading after a busy day, what techniques or routines have you found effective to help with this transition? Do you prefer to read at specific times, such as early morning or late at night, to avoid the mental residue of a hectic day? I would be interested to hear your techniques and maybe to try adopt some of them.
Thanks Stackers!
Great question, and I suspect the answer's different for everyone. In my case, I read at night before bed and on my commute to work (keeping noise-cancelling earbuds in to make it more viable.
But I also made a very conscious decision about ten years ago to take my lunch break. For years, I'd grab food and eat at my desk, and I'd either A) work or B) browse the net. So I started going to the break room or sitting outside and taking the entire hour and just reading and staying offline. That became my norm at the next two jobs, and being away from people (the break room generally was uncrowded and had a "don't disturb people" mentality) allowed me to shift my brain's focus and turn off the outside static.
It's become a lot harder when working from home (one of the few drawbacks), since there are more distractions, but I still try to carve out time when I can. My wife and I will also just agree to spend an evening or a weekend afternoon reading (and not interrupting each other with stuff that can wait), but it obviously helps to be on the same page already.
I'm not a big audiobook person, but I know a lot of folks who have shifted to them because it's easier to carve out audio time when driving or walking places.
Also, I try to be reading more than one thing at a time, as there are days when the stress is enough that I may need a lighter read, or my mood may lean more towards fiction or non-fiction.
reply
42 sats \ 0 replies \ @nym OP 2 Apr
Great advice thank you! I think I will start to take a real lunch break to give my mind some time to reset and break up the day. Even if I read or just go for a walk.
I have a hard time focusing on an audiobook also because I don't typically like to multi-task. However, I do listen to a lot of podcasts.
reply